(Matt. xv, 1-20; Mark vii, 1-23.) Then the Pharisees and certain of the Scribes coming from Jerusalem, when they had seen some of His disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, found fault, saying: Why do thy disciples transgress the traditions of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But He answering said to them: Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For God said: Honour thy father and mother; and: He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death. But you say: Whosoever shall say to father or mother, Whatever gift is from me shall profit thee:
and he honoured not his father and mother: and you have made void the commandment of God for your tradition. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they often wash their hands, eat not, holding the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not. And there are many other things which they have received to observe: the washings of cups and pots and brazen vessels and of beds, and many other like things they do. You have made void the commandment of God for your tradition. Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying: This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me, teaching doctrines and the commandments of men.
For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men. And calling the multitudes together to Him, He said to them: Hear and understand: not that which entereth into the mouth defileth a man. Then His disciples coming to Him said: Knowest Thou that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized? But He answering said: Every plant which My heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind and leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit. And when He was come into the house away from the multitude, Peter asked Him: Expound to us this parable. But He said: Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not understand that whatsoever entereth into the mouth goeth into the belly and is cast out into the privy?
But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemies, pride, foolishness. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man.